(quoted from post at 08:54:27 10/23/18) For someone who is not here to "diss" these tractors, you managed to do a pretty good hatchet job. To begin with, your initial story about the NEW owner who allowed his tractor to end up in the lake, this is a clear example of someone who thinks they are a Master of all Machinery because he obviously FAILED to read the Operator's Manual BEFORE using the machine. When people are that arrogant, they often end up in the hospital or the morgue. The "runaway" issue on steep grades was well-known but it was perfectly manageable if you followed the advice in the Operator's Manual. I have no pity for truly stupid people who blame the tool instead of themselves for whatever tragedy befalls them.
The "goofy" Hy-Drive system was initially introduced by COLT in 1963. J.I. CASE was so impressed with it, they bought COLT in late 1964 just so they could get their hands on this PATENTED drive system. The system remained in use until some time in 2010 or so, when Ingersoll (the final owner of the tractor line) stopped production for a number of reasons, none of which had to do with the hydraulic drive. These tractors sold very well over their 50 years of production and MOST owners ended up returning to the dealer to purchase a newer model again and again. Colt, Case and Ingersoll still to this day......enjoy a strong following to this day from owners who use them as they were intended to be used.
Years ago, you claim to have owned a "466". That is interesting since there has never been a CCI tractor with that model number. Presumably, you had a 446 which began production in 1972 and ceased production in 1989 when Ingersoll changed the model number system. Re-powering any one of these tractors is not difficult because it is done all the time and has been done for many years. Places such as Small Engine Warehouse offer re-power kits . I know of people who have removed engines from other brands of tractors and then re-powered their CCI tractor with them.
The claim that your old tractor package sold for a mere $70.00 means nothing other than the fact that the Buyer went home giggling and laughing about the smokin" deal he got. A used snow-caster is worth at least $250.00 today, the hydraulic rotary tiller will bring that much or more on any given day it it is marketed properly. Even a tractor with a blown engine is worth at least $100.00 but that one had an optional Rear PTO kit that sells on E-Bay for $150.00 and up......all by itself. The aforementioned prices are all on the conservative side and subject to demand.
YOU do not know why the new owner of your tractor never re-powered it. YOU are simply speculating and speculation is a long way off of FACTS.
The Hy Drive System allowed CASE to offer a tractor that could power numerous attachments without the need of a drive belt or a drive shaft. No other tractor could do this. Whether you needed a rotary tiller, a log splitter, a 3-point finishing mower, a Bush Hog field mower, a VAC system to clean up the lawn or a chipper/shredder, a CCI was able to power these attachments without the need for a 2nd engine. At one point, there was also a hydraulically powered mower deck and snow caster that worked with All-Hydraulic Series of tractors.
May I respectfully suggest that you join the forum I started back in 2010, known as casecotlingersoll.com and take the time to truly learn about these tractors so you can enlighten your mind.